Oriental Cockroach

Oriental cockroaches are a worldwide pest and common throughout Britain. They prefer to live in warm environments in heated buildings or structures but can tolerate cold conditions. They are primarily nocturnal and live both indoors and outdoors. The oriental cockroach can be found anywhere including hospitals and restaurants, where they cause damage to food and non food items (sterile hospital supplies, dry food product), as a result there is almost a no tolerance policy for the presence of cockroaches within British society.

Oriental Cockroach Identification:
Adult male cockroaches are approx. 26 mm long and females reach upto 32mm long; they are usually shiny black but may vary to dark reddish-brown. The male wings covers about three quarters of its abdomen, the female has a much reduced wing which resemble nymphal wing pads. The nymphs have a similar colouring to the adults.

Oriental Cockroach Evidence :
Mouse droppings are very small and are sometimes confused with cockroach droppings, so be alert to the differences between the two when conducting an inspection. Cockroach droppings are much smaller than mouse droppings and are characterised by blunt, almost squared off ends and ridges.

Oriental Cockroach Life Cycle:
Egg > Nymphs > Adults. The female lays up to 5 egg cases or “purse” (oothecae) of which each case contains 16 eggs. She will deposit the egg cases into a harbourage, when fully formed the eggs will hatch within 6- 12 weeks depending on heat and humidity. They are either dropped or glued to a protected surface in a warm area near food and water source. The development time from egg to adult can take 6 to 18 months dependent upon temperature. The cockroach undergoes 7 to 10 moults in order to reach its full adult stage. Oriental cockroaches can survive cold temperatures but will not breed below 10°C. Although they have wings, they prefer climbing rather than flying. Oriental cockroaches are known to carry some pathogenic bacteria.

Oriental Cockroach Habits:
The oriental cockroaches survive well in hospitals, restaurants, laundries, prisons, homes, unoccupied buildings, ducting, basements, voids, cavity, drains, sewers, rubbish sites or tips, bathrooms, paving stones and kitchens. They usually enter buildings through cracks, open windows and doors, vents or air bricks, along utility pipes and drains. Indoors they are typically found in cellars, basements, kitchens, bathrooms and feed on all kinds of food and decaying organic matter, but prefer to feed on sugary, starch and protein rich foods. They have a strong odour.

Oriental Cockroach Control:
Oriental cockroaches are controlled using approved insecticide and a system of integrated pest management.
Seal gaps in foundation walls, garages, basements, around gas, water pipes and waste pipes.
We have a program that will completely eradicate the Oriental Cockroach.